Today at RAPID 2016, we are thrilled to unveil a truly revolutionary leap forward: the world’s first production-ready 3D printing system.

There’s a lot to say about the technology, and what it means for the future. Here’s your first look.

Better Quality, Speed, Cost and Control

Leveraging decades of research and expertise in precision mechanics, microfluidics and materials sciences, HP has developed a system that can control part properties voxel by voxel (a voxel is the 3D printing equivalent of a pixel). This level of control means extreme precision and optimal mechanical properties in producing fully functional prototypes and final parts, and will reinvent manufacturing in the future.

For the $12 trillion manufacturing market, this technology is a critical step toward the next industrial revolution. The platform can address more than 340 million voxels per second, enabling precision3 at much faster build speeds1. Manufacturing companies, in-house model shops and 3D print service bureaus can print superior quality physical parts up to 10 times faster1 and at half the cost2 of current 3D print systems.

A Complete Solution

The HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solution is much more than just a 3D printer — it’s a truly integrated end-to-end solution designed to address many of the pain points in existing 3D printing processes.

An enclosed, automated processing station provides a cleaner6 materials loading and mixing experience. The solution includes a build unit that moves into the HP Jet Fusion 3D Printer, where HP fusing and detailing agents work with HP Multi Jet Fusion technology and materials to deliver fine details and dimensional accuracy3, as well as optimal mechanical properties. The build unit then returns to the Processing Station, which includes a fast-cooling module4 and an enclosed unpacking and material collection system for cleaner extraction. With the fast cooling process4, users can radically increase the number of parts they produce within a day, versus existing cooling processes.

HP announced two models today:

The HP Jet Fusion 3D 3200 Printer is ideal for prototyping, offering improved productivity and the capacity to grow usage at a lower cost per part2.

The HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 Printer is designed for prototyping and short-run manufacturing needs, with high productivity to meet same business day demands at the lowest cost per part2.

The new solutions will be sold in the U.S. and Canada, as well as select European countries. Availability will be expanded to include additional European and Asian markets in the second half of 2017. Delivery of the HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 Printer will come in late 2016. Delivery of the HP Jet Fusion 3D 3200 Printer will come in 2017.

The HP Jet Fusion 3D 3200 Printer starts at $130,000, and the full end-to-end solution (HP Jet Fusion 3D 3200 Printer and Processing Station) is available starting at $155,000.

A wider family of thermoplastics will follow in the future, including PA11, PA12 glass beads and materials with flame retardant properties, as well as elastomers. Working with a network of materials innovation partners, we plan to expand the variety of 3D printing materials further, addressing high-performance and commodity materials needs. The Open Platform sets the stage for applications we haven’t even imagined.

For additional details on the technology, including technical specifications, visit HP.com/go/3DPrint.

Future Horizons

Thanks to HP Multi Jet Fusion, future platforms could include multi-color printing, a larger range of materials, and the ability to transform part properties at voxel level, enabling a 3D printed object with multiple properties, such as conductivity, flexibility or translucency. The expanded options will allow for limitless combinations of applications, colors, and materials. For example, the ability to print material with embedded sensors and other intelligence will support the Internet of Things, and printing parts with embedded traces will help reinvent supply chains.

We’re working toward a world where 3D printing ignites the next industrial revolution, unleashes radical prototyping and rapid production, enabling companies to move quickly from thoughts to things. By 2022, we expect 3D printing will have shifted from prototyping and short run manufacturing to a full scale, production-ready technology.

Connect with us now to stay up-to-date with the latest news and events from HP.

References:

Based on internal testing, HP Jet Fusion 3D printing solution average printing time is up to 10 times faster than FDM and SLS printer solutions from $100,000 USD to $300,000 USD on market as of April 2016. Testing variables: Part Quantity: 1 full bucket of parts from HP Jet Fusion 3D at 20% of packing density versus same number of parts on above-mentioned competitive devices; Part size: 30 g; Layer thickness: 0.1mm/0.004 inches. Fast cooling module available in 2017 with some models will further accelerate production time.

Based on internal testing and public data, HP Jet Fusion 3D average printing cost per part is half the cost of comparable FDM and SLS printer solutions from $100,000 USD to $300,000 USD on market as of April 2016. Cost analysis based on: standard solution configuration price, supplies price, and maintenance costs recommended by manufacturer. Cost criteria: printing 1-2 buckets per day/ 5 days per week over 1 year of 30-gram parts at 10% packing density using the powder reusability ratio recommended by manufacturer.

Based on dimensional accuracy of ±0.2 mm/0.008 inches, measured after sand blasting. See hp.com/go/3Dmaterials for more info on materials specifications.

Fast Cooling is enabled by HP Jet Fusion 3D Processing Station with Fast Cooling, available in 2017. HP Jet Fusion 3D Processing Station with Fast Cooling accelerates parts cooling time versus recommended manufacturer time of SLS printer solutions from $100,000 USD to $300,000 USD, as tested in April 2016. FDM not applicable. Continuous printing requires an additional HP Jet Fusion 3D Build Unit (standard printer configuration includes one HP Jet Fusion 3D Build Unit). Based on internal testing and simulation, HP Jet Fusion 3D printing solution average printing time is up to 10x faster than DM and SLS printer solutions from $100,000 USD to $300,000 USD on market as of April 2016. Testing variables: Part Quantity: 1 full bucket of parts from HP Jet Fusion 3D at 20% of packing density vs same number of parts on above-mentioned competitive devices; Part size: 30g; Layer thickness: 0.1mm/0.004 inches.

The term “cleaner”, does not refer to any indoor air quality requirements and/or consider related air quality regulations or testing that may be applicable. The HP powder and agents do not meet the criteria for classification as hazardous according to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 as amended.